Richard Gish Kirkland

Richard Gish Kirkland, 81, widower of Janet Lee (Dinkle) Kirkland, of Gloria Place, Staunton, passed away on Thursday, March 6, 2025 at Augusta Health in Fishersville. 
Mr. Kirkland was born in Lynchburg, Virginia on September 28, 1943, a son of the late Charles Henry Kirkland and Marjorie Love (Hamaker) Kirkland. 
Richard was an active member of Craigsville Southern Baptist Church and The Telephone Pioneers of America Bell Telephone Company. While serving as a member of the Jollivue Barterbrook Ruritan Club, he held several leadership roles, including past president, secretary, and district governor. Following his retirement in 1991 as a supervisor from Bell Atlantic, Richard pursued his love of carpentry and began his endeavor as a self-employed building contractor. 
In addition to his parents and wife, Mr. Kirkland was preceded in death by a daughter, Jeannie Elizabeth Whittaker; and his sister, Ray Love (Kirkland) Victor.
Surviving, is a brother, Archie “Howard” Kirkland of Lynchburg; a daughter, Peggy Anne Shanklin of Lake Monticello; a son, Charles Joseph “Chuck” Kirkland of Phoenix, AZ; four grandchildren, Jonathan Schoeller, Devin Whittaker, Everett Shanklin, and Kassie Kirkland; one great-granddaughter, Tyanna Schoeller; a step-daughter, Melissa Byrd and her husband, Rob of Swoope; and a step-son, Curtis Jackson of Craigsville.
The family will receive friends from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. on Tuesday, March 11, 2025 in Coffman Funeral Home and Crematory.
A celebration of life will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Wednesday, March 12, 2025 in the Craigsville Southern Baptist Church by Pastor Tom Quick.
Burial will follow in the Craigsville Community Cemetery. 
Active pallbearers will be his son, Charles Kirkland, and Devin Whittaker, John Tankesley, Rob Byrd, Carl Schangel and Woody Wimer. 
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to the American Cancer Society, P.O. Box 4110, Glen Allen, VA 23058, or to the Jollivue Barterbrook Ruritan Club, 282 Hammond Lane, Staunton, VA 24401. 
Richard will be remembered for his generous spirit, pleasant personality, and willingness to lend a helping hand to his family and friends.
Coffman Funeral Home and Crematory, 230 Frontier Drive, Staunton is in charge of his arrangements.
Condolences may be expressed to the family online at www.coffmanfuneralhome.net